The Illinois Fire Service Institute Academy Leadership Team is hand selected. These professionals represent departments from across the state. More important, they bring years of industry and teaching experience to the training grounds. Their commitment to their craft and students is unwavering.
During each Academy cycle, candidates are assigned a company within the program. Each company is guided by an Academy Battalion Chief. Battalion Chiefs track student progress and communicate directly with sponsoring departments throughout the program duration. This intentional leadership structure ensures candidates are supported with their academic needs, fosters the partnership between IFSI and sponsoring departments, and drives student success.
Joe Jay
Departments: Bolingbrook Fire Department, Kankakee Fire Department, New Lenox Fire Department
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic (Retired)
Years of Service: 29
Years Teaching at IFSI: 32
Ed Carone
Departments: Chicago Fire Department
Rank: Captain/EMT (Retired)
Years of Service: 28
Years Teaching at IFSI: 11
Michael Bishop
Department: Decatur Fire Department
Rank: Captain (Retired)
Years of Service: 32
Years Teaching at IFSI: 11
Shane Boehmke
Department: Huntley Fire Protection District
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic (Retired)
Years of Service: 38
Years Teaching at IFSI: 6
Andy Stewart
Department: Urbana Fire Department
Rank: Lieutenant
Years of Service: 22
Years Teaching at IFSI: 18
John Waters Jr.
Department: Chicago Fire Department
Rank: Paramedic
Years of Service: 19
Years Teaching at IFSI: 10